Autumn 2018

One of my grandmothers had a formal living room filled with furniture that you sat upright on, where tea was served and polite conversation was had. Her living room/sitting room was filled with treasures that had been collected from their travels around the world. My grandfather was a fighter pilot in the Air Force and his work took them to Europe, Asia and all around the United States and they had accumulated an eclectic collection.

More familiar guests often bypassed the formal room for the casual den where you slouched a bit on the sofa or put your feet up, put you glass down on the table (without a coaster) and laughed out loud. Today we call these spaces family rooms. It is where the tv is, where games are played and life is lived . Many homes have the two separate spaces still today but not in our house. Our house was built in the 1820's and we do have an "extra" room that we are still trying to figure out what to do with (more on that at another time) but only one living room. It is wonky shaped and poses challenges. One of those challenges is how to decorate the space but still live in it daily. 

I had a hard time with the hutch top this fall. I decorated it twice. After living with this for about two weeks I just didn't like it. 

I took everything away and started over.

I reused floral arrangements from the past two years.

I have a small dresser in the living room. It was handed down to us by friends years ago when my third child was born. The top had a fingernail polish spill and the poor thing was just beat up. A coat of paint, a wood applique, some new knobs and a coat of paint has given it a new life. I holds craft and decor items and adds light to the this corner of the room. 

I topped the dresser with a tray I picked up last year at a The Pro.found Vintage Market. This year I put the lamp inside the tray, layered in pumpkins, nosegays, pinecones and a hand printed sign I received at a church function last year.

I nestled old photos of my mom, husband and grandparents into the fall decor. I think they serve to direct my thoughts toward family and home as we settle into autumn and prepare for the holidays.

And, here is a little look at the kitchen coffee area.

I found this cute pie tin in a junk store and I think it goes perfectly with the crock I found recently. Both are Massachusetts companies. Table Talk Pies is still in operation but Johnson Made Preserves is not. It was bought out by the King Arthur Flour (another Massachusetts company) in the 1970's.

These were the only two "new" things this year. I just reused what I had from last year and the year before. Move things around, use what you have, shop your stuff...you hear me say these things over and over again.

I am already looking forward to decorating for Christmas and if you know me at all you'll understand that is wow moment as I am usually late for every season! I have even been shopping for Christmas already...that's Wow to the 2nd power!

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Link Parties:
Up To Date Interiors, The Pin Junkie, Life With Lorelai, Shabby Art Boutique, The Boondocks Blog, The Dedicated House, Ducks N A Row, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, Celebrate & Decorate, Our HOme Away From Home, Katherine's Corner, The Pin Junkie